Cellino v. Barnes is a darkly comedic play following the tumultuous partnership between infamous lawyers Ross Cellino and Steve Barnes, documenting their rise and fall as the top injury attorneys in the country. Through the 90's, 2000's, and 2010's, we witness our pals navigate the ethical ambiguities of the law, grapple with personal demons (and fax machines), and aspire to world domination. They're a couple of bros with big dreams and loose morals, trying to make it in the cut throat world of ambulance chasing.
For one thing, they get a number of laughs out of the various ways to prop a foot on a desk drawer handle for maximum manspreading posture. Yes, even at 75 minutes, this gets a little baggy about two-thirds of the way through. Yes, the creators can’t resist throwing in a splashy closing scene that feels more like an excuse for a few video effects. But for pure silly fun, Cellino v. Barnes hits the mark.
Cellino v. Barnes is a tight two-hander that sails by thanks to the chemistry of its two leads. Eric William Morris is a buffoonishly braggadocious Ross Cellino with a sprinkle of daddy issues, and Noah Weisberg (in a comically ill-fitting bald cap) is a slightly skeevy, yet endearingly dedicated Steve Barnes. We follow the two of them at breakneck speed from the moment young nepo baby Cellino catches first year associate Barnes rooting through company files, trying to get a leg up for his hiring interview.
2024 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Premiere Off-Broadway |
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